Lorraine Higgins, CEO of Digital Business Ireland (DBI), says Irish SMEs need a Minister dedicated to support the nation's online export ambitions

On Friday, Irish citizens will be asked to cast their vote for candidates who will represent them in the European Parliament, as well as at local council level and a referendum on divorce legislation.

Independent TD Shane Ross has described the amount of money spent by state and semi-state bodies on public relations as “totally and utterly excessive” after it was revealed that Irish Water — which has 11 in-house communications staff — availed of the services of five private PR firms.

New inspection reports on creches will be available online “in a couple of weeks”, Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald said yesterday as the HSE came in for strong criticism over the Prime Time programme exposing abuses within the system.